Still The Captain

The Red Sox appear to have made their decision on the catching situation, signing Varitek to a one-year, two million dollar contract. There is an additional potential of $300,000 in incentives. Varitek will serve as back-up and mentor to Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Tek was having a solid season in the back-up role until an injury ended his summer early.

Both Saltalamacchia and Varitek are switch-hitters, but Saltalamacchia, for now at least, is more proficient from the left side and Varitek more potent from the right side. That split will allow manager Terry Francona to spot Varitek mostly against opposing lefthanded starters.

Saltalamacchia is only 25 years old, and was one a much sought-after young catcher just a couple of years ago. Under the tutelage of a Jason Varitek, perhaps he will finally live up to that potential.

I am one of the few not upset by the non-signing of Victor Martinez. I’m not sure when he turned into Johnny Bench in the eyes of Red Sox Nation, but time will prove the wisdom of letting him go. Four years is far too long for a 32-year-old catcher, who wasn’t much of a defensive catcher to begin with. Detroit has already announced he will primarily DH, so they essentially have an aging 13-million-dollar DH who will never be nearly as productive as David Ortiz. Martinez’s best year at the plate was 2007 when he hit 25 homers and batted in 114. Papi’s worst season with the Sox was his injury-shortened 2008 when he hit 23 homers and had 89 RBI.

Bring on the Tek/Salty combo, and let’s see where the Sox spend Martinez’s money.

These monopoly-money contracts are ruining the game (ruining all majorleague sports). But the man- behind-the-curtain will be the stadium builders. Hey, the Toronto park is entertaining, but we don't need one in Boston.

Prediction: eventually, the stadium-building mafia will make enough noise that Fenway will get replaced (if it is torn down, and not made a permanent National Historical Monument, somebody needs to get whacked. We'll be asking where is Raymond Patriarca Sr. when we need him?), and then see if you can get a Red Sox ticket in center field for under $200. Bah Humbug, and Merry Christmas to all Red Sox Nation citizens anyway...

Keeping Varitek? Good. If he plays 50-60 games and shows Saltamacchia how to handle the staff, he's worth it. 2 million is a tiny contract today for a clubhouse leader who still sometimes can hit. And he doesn't need to catch Tim Wakefield, if HE stays...

Keeping Varitek? Good. If he plays 50-60 games and shows Saltamacchia how to handle the staff, he's worth it. 2 million is a tiny contract today for a clubhouse leader who still sometimes can hit. And he doesn't need to catch Tim Wakefield, if HE stays...

The Boston Red Sox have agreed to a deal in principle to acquire slugging first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney on Saturday morning.

The Red Sox have received permission from Major League Baseball to negotiate with Gonzalez on a new contract, the sources said, and Gonzalez's physical examination, one of last hurdles to the deal, could happen Saturday, when Gonzalez was expected to be in Boston.

The Padres would not receive any established major league players in the trade, but it's likely the Red Sox would include their top pitching prospect, Casey Kelly, sources have said.

Gonzalez is the Padres' most popular player, with great crossover appeal to the team's Mexican-American market, a native son who carried San Diego to within a game of a playoff spot in 2010.

He is signed through 2011 at $6.3 million. The Padres exercised his 2011 option on Nov. 1. His contract called for a $5.5 million salary, but performance bonuses pushed the figure above $6 million.

Acquiring Gonzalez, while signing one of two free-agent outfielders, Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth, would give the Red Sox their most potent offensive lineup since the Manny Ramirez trade to the Dodgers in 2008 and make clear why they were willing to lose free agents Victor Martinez and potentially Adrian Beltre.

The Red Sox have long coveted the 28-year-old Gonzalez. As far back as the 2009 trading deadline, the Red Sox made a pitch for Gonzalez, a three-time All-Star who last season finished fourth in balloting for the National League's Most Valuable Player.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound left-handed hitter batted .298 with 31 home runs and 101 RBIs for the Padres last season. He finished fifth in the National League in on-base percentage (.393), ninth in slugging (.511) and led the league in hitting with runners in scoring position (.407). Opposing pitchers issued 35 intentional walks to Gonzalez last season, a number exceeded only by Albert Pujols.

In addition to his offensive prowess, Gonzalez is a gifted defender, having won two Gold Gloves in five full seasons.

According to multiple reports, the Sox offered iconic Yankees closer and free agent Mariano Rivera a two-year contract at $15 million per season. Later, word leaked that the Yankees will meet with free agent outfielder Carl Crawford, a primary Red Sox target.Rivera is reportedly close to re-signing with the Yanks for nearly identical terms of the Red Sox’ reported bid.The Sox offered arbitration to closer Jonathan Papelbon [stats], but according to ESPN.com, they were prepared to non-tender him before Thursday night’s deadline if they worked out a deal with Rivera.Papelbon is one year from free agency, so the Red Sox’ interest in Rivera only heightens the belief that they’re listening to trade offers for their current closer. The Sox might also have been exploring a Rivera signing knowing it likely would mean driving up his price for the Yankees.

According to multiple reports, the Sox offered iconic Yankees closer and free agent Mariano Rivera a two-year contract at $15 million per season. Later, word leaked that the Yankees will meet with free agent outfielder Carl Crawford, a primary Red Sox target.Rivera is reportedly close to re-signing with the Yanks for nearly identical terms of the Red Sox’ reported bid.The Sox offered arbitration to closer Jonathan Papelbon [stats], but according to ESPN.com, they were prepared to non-tender him before Thursday night’s deadline if they worked out a deal with Rivera.Papelbon is one year from free agency, so the Red Sox’ interest in Rivera only heightens the belief that they’re listening to trade offers for their current closer. The Sox might also have been exploring a Rivera signing knowing it likely would mean driving up his price for the Yankees.

He said he could have signed elsewhere already, or with the Sox, but wants to stay in Boston (funny what a big Green wall can do for your confidence!), it seems years are the only obstacle, he wants family security, which is totally understandable...

While the Sox Spin Machine will make it look like this is a feel good story, it should be recognized that this is an act of desperation. Had they not let Victor walk over a paltry 500k, Varitek would be catching for the Blue Jays next season.

[…] reasons, chief among them the flexibility that Tek provides. The fine folks at Surviving Grady are thrilled at the Captain’s return, while Firebrand of the American League is much less so, saying of […]